‘Uncooperative’ cops won’t stop CHR probe into Navarro slay

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas will proceed with the full-blown investigation into the possible security lapses committed by the police personnel escorting the late Clarin, Misamis Occidental mayor David Navarro when he was killed in an ambush despite the lack of cooperation from the police.

CHR-7 chief investigator Leo Villarino said they have already secured the affidavits of the members of the Navarro family and their witnesses. He, however, refused to disclose the contents of the affidavits. Villarino is also hopeful to get the affidavit of Clarin town police chief soon.

The CHR-7 docketed an investigation into the killing of Navarro to determine possible security lapses of the police. However, all police personnel involved in the case did not show up in the investigation of the CHR-7 last Monday despite being summoned.

Cebu City Police Office acting director Col. Geovanie Maines believes there was only a miscommunication between the policemen involved and the CHR. Maines said they did not receive a copy of the subpoena from the CHR.

According to him, the CCPO should have been given a copy of the subpoena so they could have advised the personnel involved. Maines, however, clarified that the concerned personnel were already transferred to the regional police headquarters.

Navarro was killed while in the custody of the police after the mayor was arrested for complaints of physical injury and acts of lasciviousness by a male spa attendant and a female massage therapist, respectively.

Navarro was being transported by the police to the city prosecutor’s office to undergo inquest proceeding when he was killed in an ambush on M. Velez Street in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

The cold-blooded murder of Navarro by still unidentified armed men happened in the presence of his police escorts. Not one of the policemen escorting the mayor was able to draw his gun and shoot it out with the attackers.

All of them, including then CCPO director Gemma Vinluan and Abellana Police Station chief Maj. Eduard Sanchez, were already relieved pending investigation. Banat News, FPL (FREEMAN)